It may seem like a conflict of interest, as the co-owner of a coffee roastery, to use this platform to talk about how great coffee can be, but the science backs me up. So I feel justified. Below I have compiled a list of some of the main benefits the right amount of coffee can have on the body, according to the experts. It is important to remember that “the right amount of coffee” is different for everybody. Experts agree that adults* should stay under 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. The average cup of joe contains 80-100mg each, so staying under 4 cups a day is a decent rule to follow.
*This does not apply to those on a caffeine-free diet, or women who are expecting and have had to reduce daily caffeine intake. If you have any concerns, please ask your health care provider before adding coffee to your morning routine.*
And, as a disclaimer, this blog post is speaking about black coffee. You won’t get any hate from me when you start adding in whatever cream and sugar combination you love, I’m not one to skip my caramel macchiato when the mood strikes, but this post is speaking solely to the health benefits of unaltered, no sugar added, lactose free, black coffee.
And so, without further ado, the benefits of coffee consumption:
- Can improve energy levels. Caffeine blocks the neurotransmitter adenosine which allows an increase in other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine. This improves brain function and has shown in controlled studies to increase: memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general mental function.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3
- Helps burn fat! Studies have shown that caffeine can boost your metabolic rate anywhere from 3-29%!
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3
- A great source of essential nutrients. One cup of coffee can contain 11% of the recommended daily intake of Riboflavin (vitamin B2); 6% of the recommended Pantothenic Acid (vitamin B5); 3% of the recommended Manganese and Potassium; and 2% of the recommended Magnesium and Niacin (vitamin B3).
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3
- Lowers the risk of certain diseases and medical conditions.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Multiple studies found that regular coffee consumption lowers the odds of developing Type 2 diabetes. That’s true for decaf as well as the high-octane variety.
- Neurological diseases: Regular daily caffeine intake — like the kind you get from your daily cup — is linked to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as well as Parkinson’s disease.
- Liver disease: Coffee seems to protect against liver cirrhosis in people at risk of the disease, such as those with alcohol use disorder or fatty liver disease.
- Cancer: Researchers have found that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of liver cancer and colorectal cancer — two of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the world.
- Depression: That pick-me-up you get from a foamy cappuccino may not be a figment of your imagination. Several studies have found that the more coffee a person drinks, the lower their risk of depression.
And that’s just a few of the benefits, click any of the links below to learn more about some of the potential benefits to adding coffee to your diet!